Um… What’s next? That’s all of us asking about the Aaron Rodgers and the Jets’ marriage. The season ended in a disappointing 5-12 record, and Gang Green’s owner, Woody Johnson, didn’t mince words. “From a numbers standpoint, Rodgers did OK. Except for the most important number—winning games.” Ouch. But it’s the kind of uncertainty that makes Jets fans feel like they’re stuck in a never-ending fourth-and-long situation. Guess that’s why Bill Belichick didn’t wanna stick around in the Big Apple…

So, let’s go back to 2000. Belichick, the defensive mastermind who spent years as Bill Parcells’ right-hand man, was all set to take over as the Jets’ head coach. YEAH! IMAGINE THAT… Phew! While it was supposed to be a smooth handoff, like a well-executed play-action pass, Belichick did what no one has even dared to do ever since then. At his introductory press conference, he scribbled “I resign as HC of the NYJ” on a napkin and walked away.

Now, the scene is such that the Jets fans call it betrayal. But for the Patriots fans, that moment was destiny in the making.

However, Belichick’s departure wasn’t just a breakup; it was a rivalry in the making. Ex-Pats player Vince Wilfork learned early that hating the Jets wasn’t optional. Rather, it was doctrine if he was to excel under the Belichickian era. “Bill never once… told the team what his beef was with the Jets,” Wilfork said. “It was just, ‘We hate the Jets.’ And everybody just felt that way.”

He added, “We knew it was just a different beef when it came to the Jets.” That’s Belichick for you: no over-explaining, just a mandate to dominate.

And dominate they did. From 2016 to 2023, the Patriots racked up a 15-game win streak against the Jets, the longest in the rivalry’s history. Belichick’s defense repeatedly out-schemed New York, and that’s just words. But numbers just go wild as well. Big Bill’s record against the Jets? 39-12, including playoffs. That’s the most wins by a coach against a single team in the Super Bowl era.

But why the drama? In an ESPN “30 for 30” documentary, Belichick revealed it wasn’t just about coaching. The Jets were in a mid-ownership transition after Leon Hess’ death. Guess what? Neither of the two potential buyers felt appealing to Bill. Woody Johnson or James Dolan? Yeah, if he doesn’t like them, he just doesn’t… So, he took his talents to New England—and the rest, as they say, is Super Bowl history.

But now we know why Bill Belichick really took issues with Woody Johnson dropping the axe on Robert Saleh back in October.

When Bill Belichick doesn’t like you… You’re always on his radar

Belichick rarely holds back, especially when it comes to the Jets. Don’t believe us? So, take his thoughts on Robert Saleh’s firing: “Just seemed like a little early to pull the trigger on that one to me,” he said. “But not out of character for the owner. Woody’s always been kind of hard to predict what he’s gonna do.” Classic Belichick—calm, cutting, and laced with that dry humor.

Meanwhile, Saleh’s midseason dismissal after the Jets’ Week 5 loss in London raised plenty of eyebrows. Sure, 20-36 over three seasons isn’t stellar, but firing a coach in-season? That’s a first for Woody Johnson in 25 years. And honestly, for a team that hasn’t kept a head coach longer than six years since 2000, this felt… on brand. Or, as Belichick put it, “The owner being the owner, just ready, fire, aim.”

You can almost hear the sarcasm. And let’s not forget, the Jets’ winning percentage over the past decade is barely over 30%. Belichick wasn’t exactly wrong. But what’s fascinating here is how Belichick, now the head coach at UNC, keeps the Jets in his crosshairs. And one thing that Wilfork said that’s staying forever with Big Bill is the hate for the Jets. That’s not fading, even in Chapel Hill.

Oh, yes, by the way, speaking of UNC, this isn’t some cushy retirement gig for him. Belichick’s all-in—recruiting high school stars, building a powerhouse program, and obsessing over details like he’s still in Foxborough. And maybe, just maybe, he’d tell his North Carolina future stars to stay away from the Big Apple.